Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: A comparative study of antioxidant activities and GCMS analysis of aqueous and ethanol root extracts

Abstract

Withania somnifera also known as winter cherry belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is an effective immunomodulatory agent and inhibited the myelosuppression induced by diverse immunotoxins. It increases longevity and useful for promoting physical and mental health and rejuvenates the body in debilitated conditions. Ashwagandha is also useful in epilepsy, stress, and neurodegenerative diseases. The objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties and GC-MS analysis of both aqueous and ethanol root extracts of Withania somnifera. Antioxidant activities such as DPPH radical, Fe 3+ reducing power, and phosphomolybdenum reduction assays were carried out for aqueous and ethanol root extracts. The maximum DPPH radical scavenging activity of aqueous root extract was 92.82% and ethanol root extract was 40.49% at 120 µg/mL concentrations. The IC50 of DPPH˙ radical scavenging activity of aqueous and ethanol root extracts was 38.35 μg/mL and 148.14 μg/mL concentration respectively. The maximum Fe 3+ reduction of aqueous root extract was 82.12% and ethanol root extract was 63.86% 120 µg/mL concentration, and their RC50 values were 23.56 μg/mL and 80.36 μg/mL concentration respectively. The maximum phosphomolybdenum reduction of aqueous toot extract was 94.50% and ethanol root extract was 86.13% at 120 µg/mL concentration, and their RC50 values were 13.70 μg/mL and 38.43 μg/mL concentration respectively. The GCMS analysis of aqueous root extract of W. somnifera showed the highest RT peak at 16.55 and the ethanol root extract of W. somnifera showed the highest RT peak at 17.45, which are of the same compound, n-hexadecanoic acid.